Steam or vapor bath



Dec. ,31, 1963 T. M. SPENCE STEAM 0R VAPOR BATH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1962 United States Patent Office 3,ll5,fi45 Patented Dec. 31, 1963 3,115,645 STEAM OR VAPOR BATH Thomas M. Spence, Atlanta, Ga. (87 Dartmouth Ava, Avondaie Estates, Ga.) Filed Apr. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 188,930 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-161) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stem baths particularly although not necessarily, for the home, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be used in conjunction with the usual bathtub and shower.

Another highly important object of the present invention is to provide a bath of the aforementioned character which, in use or operation, utilizes the steam and heat given off by hot Water from the shower over the tub.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a domestic steam bath of the character described which is portable and foldable or collapsible and which, furthermore, may be left suspended in the usual wall recess or stall without interfering with the use of tub and shower.

Another object is to provide a steam bath of the character set forth which is vertically adjustable to meet various conditions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a portable and foldable or collapsible steam bath of the character set forth which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

Reference is now had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which;

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing steam bath constructed in accordance with the present invention installed for use;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through one side portion of the device and the adjacent portion of the bathtub;

FIGURE 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through a wall portion of the cabinet, showing an optional pouch or pocket thereon; and

FIGURE 5 is a detail view in vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference numeral 6 design-ates generally a portion of a conventional bathroom wall comprising a stall or recess 7 having installed therein a typical bathtub 8 with the usual hot and cold water faucet 9 over one end thereof. Also installed over this end of the tub 3 on the upper portion of the wall structure is a conventional shower 9 which includes a downturned pipe 10 having a nozzle or spray head 11 on its free end. Hot and cold water valves 12 and 13 control the flow of water to the shower 9. Extending between the side walls 14 of the recess or stall 7 is a shower curtain rod 15.

Mounted in the recess or stall 7 over the tub 8 is a vertically elongated cabinet 16 of suitable flexible waterproof material. The cabinet 16, which is substantially square or rectangular in plan, may be of any desired dimensions. The cabinet 1% includes a back 17 and sides 18 and 19. Front flaps 20 provide access to the cabinet 16. Reference numeral 21 designates a top on the cabinet 16. The corner portions of the cabinet 16 are folded, formed and stitched as indicated at 22 to provide tubular pleats or hems 23. Stays 24 of suitable material are provided in the hems 23.

The top portion of the cabinet 16 has mounted thereon upstanding suspension straps 25 of suitable flexible material. The suspension straps 25 are located adjacent the vertical corners of the cabinet 16. Upturned hooks 26 on the inner wall of the recess or stall 7 are engageable with the rear straps 25 for hanging the rear portion of the cabinet on the wall. In the construction shown, upturned hooks 27 are secured as indicated at 23 on the shower curtain rod 15. The hooks 26 and 27 are engageable selectively in spaced holes 29 in the straps 25 for vertically adjusting the cabinet 16.

Mounted in the cabinet 16 and extending between the front and rear thereof is a vertical wall or partition 30 having openings 31 therein for the passage of steam and warm air. The inner wall or partition 39 is adjacent to but spaced from the side wall 18 and provides in conjunction therewith and with the member 17 and one of the flaps 20, a steam and water duct, conduit or passage 32 which, as shown to advantage in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, is substantially rectangular in horizontal section. Of course, the conduit 32 communicates with the cabinet 16 through the openings 31. Mounted horizontally in the conduit 32 at vertically spaced points are baffles or the like 33 having circular openings 34 therein. A tubular sleeve, chute or conduit 35 of suitable flexible waterproof material has one end portion secured as at 36 to the top portion of the cabinet side wall 18 in communi cation with the conduit 32. Sleeve 35 is adapted to be slipped over the shower 9 and secured by a drawstring or the like 37 on the free end of said sleeve.

The perforated or apertured inner wall 30 of the cabinet 16 terminates at its lower end in a flexible flap or apron 38 which is adapted to extend under the lower end of the conduit 32 for directing water therefrom toward the drain 39 of the tub 8.

It is thought that the use or operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the cabinet 16 properly adjusted and suspended through the medium of the straps 25, the lower portion of said cabinet extends downwardly into the tub 8 to a point adjacent the bottom 40 thereof. With the flexible spout or sleeve 35 secured to the shower 9, hot water from said shower is discharged downwardly in the conduit 32 of the cabinet 16. The conduit 32 is of sufficient dimensions to provide a chamber in which the steam separates from the water. The hot water, descending by gravity in the conduit 32, strikes the horizontal foraminous baffles 33 and steam vapor and heat released by the water pass through the openings 31 into the cabi net 16. The baffles 33 agitate and retard the descending water but not enough to cause it to accumulate in the conduit and possibly cause the assembly to sag. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the apertures 31 in the inner wall or partition 30 are spaced from the horizontal baffles 33 for preventing the water falling on said baflles from being deflected thereby through the wall 30 into the cabinet. The spent water is discharged at the lower end of the conduit 32 and directed to the tub drain 39 by the flap 38. The construction and arrangement is such that the hot water does not directly contact the bather or user. Reference numeral 41 designates an optional pouch or pocket in the cabinet 16 on one of the vertical walls thereof. Any suitable number of such pouches or pockets may be provided. After the device has been used the cabinet 16, with the flexible spout or sleeve 35 disconnected from the shower 9, may be disengaged from the curtain rod 15 and left hanging on the hooks 26 on the inner wall of the stall or recess. Thus, the device is out of the way and does not interfere with the normal use of the tub 8 and the shower 9. Or, the device may be expeditiously taken down, compactly folded and stored in a closet or any other suitable space. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the conduit or duct 32 extends from the front to the back of the cabinet for uniformly distributing the steam therein. In the embodiment shown, the top 21 extends between the wall 30 and the side 19 of the cabinet 16, leaving the upper end of the duct 32 open. However, if desired, the upper end of the duct 32 may be closed and the sleeve 35 connected thereto in communication therewith in any suitable manner. In addition to deflecting the hot water from the duct 32 toward the drain 39, the flexible flap 38 prevents said water from entering the portion of the tub 8 which is occupied by the user. In addition to retarding the flow of hot water through the conduit 32, the baffles 33 retain the shape of said conduit and prevent the walls thereof from sagging or bulging. Of course, as many of the elements 33 as desired may be employed for maintaining the shape of the duct.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A steam or vapor bath comprising in combination with a bathtub having a shower head a collapsible cabinet of a flexible material including a top wall together with vertical outer walls and an open lower end, means above said bathtub supporting said cabinet at its upper end in a vertical position within said bathtub and with said open lower end being disposed between the top and bottom of said bathtub, said cabinet having therein a vertical inner wall extending entirely thereacross and defining with the adjacent surfaces of said outer Walls a vertical duct at one side of said cabinet, said duct being open at its lower end, conduit means discharging water from said shower head into the upper end of said duct, apertures in said inner wall for passage of vapor from said duct into said cabinet, at least one horizontal, apertured baffie in said duct retarding flow of water downwardly of said duct, said 'oafi'le being spaced below said Wall apertures sufiiciently to prevent passage of water from said duct through said apertures.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a flexible flap on the lower end of said inner wall extending below said outer walls and having sealing engagement with the bottom and sides of the bathtub and preventing communication between said duct and the remainder of the cabinet interior except by said apertures.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said duct is open at its top, said top wall connecting the top of said inner wall with the top of the outer walls which lie outside of said duct.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said conduit means comprises a conduit of flexible material sealingly embracing said head and discharging into the open top of said duct.

References Cite-d in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 755,747 Coile Mar. 29, 1904 1,685,180 Sheller Sept. 25, 1928 2,757,384 Slater Aug. 7, 1956 2,794,200 Vitsky June 4, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 354,910 Switzerland July 31, 1961 In t K- 

1. A STEAM OR VAPOR BATH COMPRISING IN COMBINATION WITH A BATHTUB HAVING A SHOWER HEAD A COLLAPSIBLE CABINET OF A FLEXIBLE MATERIAL INCLUDING A TOP WALL TOGETHER WITH VERTICAL OUTER WALLS AND AN OPEN LOWER END, MEANS ABOVE SAID BATHTUB SUPPORTING SAID CABINET AT ITS UPPER END IN A VERTICAL POSITION WITHIN SAID BATHTUB AND WITH SAID OPEN LOWER END BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SAID BATHTUB, SAID CABINET HAVING THEREIN A VERTICAL INNER WALL EXTENDING ENTIRELY THEREACROSS AND DEFINING WITH THE ADJACENT SURFACES OF SAID OUTER WALLS A VERTICAL DUCT AT ONE SIDE OF SAID CABINET, SAID DUCT BEING OPEN AT ITS LOWER END, CONDUIT MEANS DISCHARGING WATER FROM SAID SHOWER HEAD INTO THE UPPER END OF SAID DUCT, APERTURES IN SAID INNER WALL FOR PASSAGE OF VAPOR FROM SAID DUCT INTO SAID CABINET, AT LEAST ONE HORIZONTAL, APERTURED 